Below are a list of projects working with asylum seekers and refugees and/or migrant workers. The information is being shared as a sign of good practice. Should you wish to find out more information about any of the projects, please contact them directly.

The projects are listed under their relevant county or unitary council base: Please use the quick links to projects in your area: Norfolk based projects, Suffolk projects, Peterborough projects, Hertfordshire projects, Bedfordshire projects and Luton propjects. Please let us know of any project that is not listed below.

Bedfordshire (area covered by Bedfordshire New and Emerging Communities Forum)

  1. Bedford Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support (BRASS)- Offers practical advice to refugees and asylum seekers (not counselling).  Address: c/o St Luke's United Church, 26 St Peter's Street, Bedford, MK40 2NN. Tel: 01234 21138, Email: brass@britonline.net
     
  2. The Learning Partnership- works with migrant workers through the Transqual project and the Train to Gain ESOL Project. Address: 1 Sunbeam Road, Woburn Road Industrial Estate, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK42 7BZ, Tel: 01234 857637, Email:
    info@learning-partnership.co.uk. Website: www.learningincommunities.co.uk
     
  3. Polish British Integration Centre (PBIC)- aims to support vulnerable migrants to attend culture awareness courses with embedded ESOL.  Address: 31 Pembroke Street, Bedford MK40 3RH. Tel: 01234 359577. Email: malgorzatabrady@aol.com
     
  4. Step into Childcare for the Bedford Polish Community-To increase the employment prospects and progression into further training or education of economically inactive Polish adults resident in Bedfordshire. Address: Workforce Development Unit, Children’s Services, Beds County Council, Suite 1 Princeton Court, Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford MK41 7PZ. Tel: 01234 228847. Email: Nadean.tomsett@bedscc.gov.uk
     
  5. Luton Training & Mentoring (LTM): aim to look at providing free customized Mentoring support to NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people aged 14-19 and vulnerable adults throughout Luton and Bedfordshire with the help of our qualified, trained and experienced Mentors. Address: Luton Training & Mentoring, Community Enterprise & Resource Centre, The Moakes, Luton, LU3 3QB, Tel: +44 (0)1582 848488, Fax: +44 (0)1582 848480 email: anj@lutonmentor.com website: www.lutonmentor.com/  

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Luton (area covered by Luton Multi-Agency Asylum Forum)

  1. Bedfordshire African Community Centre (BACC) their aim is to empower, support and assist individuals and minority groups from the African Continent including Asylum Seekers, Migrant Workers and Refugees living in Luton and Bedfordshire. Address: The Basement, Aldwyck House, Upper George Street, Luton, Beds, LU1 2RB. Telephone: 01582 484807. E-mail: bacc.office@virgin.net; info@africancentre.org.uk. Website: www.africancentre.org.uk/
     
  2. Centre for African Families Positive Health (CAFPH) is an African specific service that is peer led and all efforts are made to involve people living with HIV/AIDS, including asylum-seekers and refugees, in the development and improvement of services at all levels. Address: Kingham House, Unit 1, Kingham Way, Luton LU2 7RG. Tel: 01582 726 061. Email: www.cafph.org/

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Cambridgeshire (area covered by the Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers & Asylum Seekers and Refugees Network and by the Fenland Diversity Forum)

  1. Advice for Life/Migrant Gateway© AFL's Migrant Worker Project aims to give Migrant Workers the opportunity to receive specialist advice on employment rights, training, immigration, housing, etc.  Address: Cambridgeshire Business Park, E-space South, Unit 8, 26 St Thomas Place, Ely CB7 4EX. Tel: 01353 644150. Email: adelina.chalmers@afl.org.uk. Website: www.afl.org.uk, http://migrant-gateway.eu/
     
  2. Cambridge Refugee Support Group (CRSG) supports refugees and asylum seekers who live in Cambridge or the surrounding area by helping with English language and providing advice or advocacy on a range of topics. Address: Tel: 01223  575489. Email: RSG@dial.pipex.com. Website: http://cambonli01.uuhost.uk.uu.net/forum/refugee/refframe.htm
     
  3. The Ferry project works with the housing company Luminus Group to provide housing and skills training for single homeless people. Address: 16 - 24 Mill Close, Wisbech Tel: 01945 461106 (Female). Tel: 01945 589905 (Male). SOFA Project: 01945 467596.
     
  4. Fenland CAB Migrant Workers Project Supporting Migrant Workers in Rural Areas. Drop in sessions in Portuguese. Address: 12 Church Mews, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1HL. Tel: 01945 464367. Email: bureau@fenlandcab.cabnet.org.uk
     
  5. The Rosmini Centre is the focus for a range of activities helping the families of migrant workers to access services. Address: Rosmini Centre Community Development Manager, 69 Queens Road,Wisbech,Cambs, PE13 2PH Tel: 01945 474422 email: rcw_manager@btconnect.com

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Peterborough (area covered by Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum)

  1. African Caribbean Forum-Provide support to elderly Caribbean people and activities for young people. Address: Millennium Centre, Dickens Street, PE1 5DG. Tel: 01733 562663.
     
  2. Bissau-Guinean Association c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel:  01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  3. British Red Cross Refugee Services- Coordination of services for asylum-seekers and refugees living in the East of England. Address: Brassey Close, Peterborough, PE1 2AZ. Tel: 01733 557472. Email: AHewett@redcross.org.uk
     
  4. Czech and Slovak Community Organisation Inaugural launch took place in February 2008. c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel: 01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  5. Daman Community of Peterborough (Portuguese community) c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel:  01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  6. Eagle Polish Society of Peterborough The fundamental aim of the Society is to provide comprehensive service to help the Polish people living in Peterborough and surrounding area. It hopes to create a communication process between Polish community and the authorities as well as other minorities. Address: 1 Blackmead; Orton Malborne, PE2 5PU Peterborough. Tel: 07724978154 Email: info@pspeagle.co.uk Website: http://www.pspeagle.co.uk/angielska/index.html
     
  7. Ethiopian and Eritrean Community Association c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel:  01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  8. Lithuanian Community Association c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel:  01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  9. New Link is Peterborough City Council's Asylum and Migration Service. It aims at creating a new model for managing new arrivals in the UK. Individual projects have been established in Peterborough to achieve this aim. Address: 439, Lincoln Road Peterborough England PE1 2PE. Tel: 01733 864305, newlink@peterborough.gov.uk. Website: http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-3838
     
  10. Peterborough Portuguese Association-facilitate ESOL classes in Peterborough. Address: 128 Gladstone Street, Peterborough, PE1 2BL. Email:PPAssociation@hotmail.com
     
  11. Peterborough African Community Organisation (PACO) was set up as a means of tackling isolation. PACO addresses this issue by facilitating contact between people with common origins who came to settle in Peterborough. Address: 439, Lincoln Road Peterborough England PE1 2PE. Tel: 01733742801, Website: http://www.pacouk.org/
     
  12. Peterborough Community Group Forum-aims to increase discussion and information exchange and to provide a more effective voice for community groups, organisations and associations in the wider community. Address: c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel:  01733 864311. Email newlink@peterborough.gov.uk .
     
  13. Peterborough Women’s Centre-The Centre focuses on raising awareness of women's issues, women's rights and women's education and personal development, and also promote interagency links. Courses offered include ESOL, ESOL for ICT, and there is a pilot group for refugee women. Address: 69-71 Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1SY. Tel: 01733 311564 or 311568, Email: pboro.womens.centre@btclick.com. Website: http://www.peterboroughwomenscentre.org.uk/
     
  14. Poor African Refugee Community Association (PARCA)-aims to work towards the full integration of the Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Projects and activities cover: provision of general information and advice - Signposting and referral services, help with training and job search. Unity Hall, Northfield Road, Peterborough, PE1 3QH, Tel: 01733 310091, Email: ukparca@yahoo.co.uk/ info@poor-refugee.org Website: http://www.poor-refugee.org/
     
  15. Somali Community of Peterborough Advice and support for the Somali community in Peterborough. Signposting for housing and education services. Started in 2005. it's a RCO. Address: c/o New Link, Lincoln Road Centre, 439 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PE. Tel: 01733 742801 Email: info@scopeuk.org ; Website: http://scopeuk.org/

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Hertfordshire (area covered by Hertfordshire Migrant Workers Multi-Agency Forum)

  1. Community Action Dacorum-has managed the Meeting the Information and Economic Needs of Migrants (MINEM) project which ended on 31/3/08. for more information, see project’s website: www.minem.eu Adresse: 48 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 3AF. Tel: 01442 253935. Website: http://www.dacorumcvs.org.uk/

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Norfolk (area covered by Norwich Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Forum, Norfolk Migrant Workers Forum, West Norfolk Diversity Forum, Great Yarmouth GYROS Multi-Agency Forum)

  1. Amigos- Working with Migrant Workers The project acts as a liaison between the local churches and these communities so that they may have their needs met and integrate in the local society. Focuses on the Breckland area. Email: Jorge Damesceno on amigos_uk@hotmail.co.uk
     
  2. Asylum Voice (Norwich) The Project, initiated by the Norwich Multi-Agency Forum (NASREF) is a second tier meeting group which engages with community members with the aim of representing the voice of asylum seekers and refugees within NASREF. Its objectives are to promote local and regional policy based on well-informed asylum issues and to produce Knowledgeable, skilful and confident community representatives. Address: c/o Red Cross Refugee Resource Centre, 44-46 St. Augustine’s Street, Norwich, NR3 3AD. Tel: 01603 623041. Email: pmjobarteh@redcross.org.uk
     
  3. City of Refuge/New Writing Partnership-The Community Programme comprises of the strangers and canaries project (for young people), competitions, a library project and various training and workshop opportunities. Address: 4-6 Netherconesford, 93-95 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1PW. Tel: 01603 877177. Email: info@newwritingpartnership.org.uk. Website: www.newwritingpartnership.org.uk
     
  4. Community Connections (Great Yarmouth) The aim of the organization is to promote and actively initiate community development and community empowerment initiatives across the Borough of Great Yarmouth and its travel-to-work area. Address: Electra House, 32 Southtown Road, Southtown, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 ODU. Tel: 01493 656372. Email: vicki.knights@communityconnections.org.uk. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: http://www.communityconnections.org.uk/Joomla/
     
  5. Great Yarmouth International Association (GYIA)-aims to bring together the different Black Minority groups (BME) of Great Yarmouth and promote good relations within the wider community through social and cultural events. Address: 52a, Deneside, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2HL. Tel: 01493 851598. Email: gyia@btconnect.com
     
  6. Great Yarmouth Portuguese Association/Herois del Mar -One of the group's key roles is to encourage Portuguese community members to pursue education and training and to improve their English. The “Boca em Boca” newsletter also provides information and help with access to advice and services. Address: c/o Café Arroz dos, 31 King street, Great Yarmouth.
     
  7. Voluntary Norfolk in Great Yarmouth.The Target Engagement team supports the development of a programme linking local residents, including migrant workers, into training, volunteering and employment pathways. Address: The Neighbourhood Centre, 143 King Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2PQ. Email: tel: 01493 845925. Email: simon.oleary@nvs.org.uk. Website: http://www.nvs-gy.org.uk/
     
  8. Great Yarmouth Refugee Orientation Services (GYROS) - provides information to newcomers to the UK and to those agencies working with them. Address: 52A Deneside, Great Yarmouth NR30 2HL. Tel. 01493745260. Email: enquiries@gyros.org.uk. Website: www.gyros.org.uk
     
  9. GMB (Britain’s General Union)-aims at empowering migrant workers through delivering courses such as “know your rights”. Address:38-40 Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2 1NR.T: 01603 626492/625260. Email: steve.walker@gmb.org.uk. Website: http://www.gmbunion.org
     
  10. Kings Lynn Area Resettlement Support (KLARS) provides advice and information for migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees. There are four drop-in sessions every week, where newcomers can get information in English, Portuguese, Russian, Polish and Lithuanian. Address: 14 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JN. Tel: 07916201729. Email: postmaster@klarskl.org.uk. Website: http://www.klarskl.org.uk/
     
  11. META@Keystone-META Drop-in is a face to face information and support service staffed by migrant workers to help mobile communities settle down quickly and effectively. META staff provide support in 7 languages. The META hotline, delivered in partnership with Advice for Life, is a telephone service providing information to migrant workers in the Eastern region. Address: Keystone Development Trust, The Limes, 32 Bridge Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3AG. Tel: 01842 754 639. Email:enquiries@keystonetrust.org.uk. Website: http://www.keystonetrust.org.uk/META/. META hotline: 0871 4231334.
     
  12. Mid-Norfolk Association (MNA) Projects include “Portuguese school for all”, ESOL classes, Youth club activities. Contact: adchoca@yahoo.co.uk
     
  13. New Routes/Interface Learning Association-The organization runs a variety of projects which reflects the diversity of our clients. Refugees and asylum seeker families are their main client group. Address: 48 St Augustine’s Street, Norwich NR3 3AD. Tel: 01603 632816. Email: newroutes@tiscali.co.uk
     
  14. NORCAS Great Yarmouth Confidential clinical service offering information, advice, assessment, prescribing, needle exchange, counseling and support for anyone who has an alcohol or drug problem or is concerned about a relative, friend or colleague. Provides some bilingual support to Portuguese speakers. Address: 59 North Quay, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1JB. Tel: 01493 857249. E-mail: gt.yarmouth@norcas.org.uk. Website: http://www.norcas.org.uk/
     
  15. Norfolk African Community Association (NACA)-aims to foster social cohesion amongst the scattered African persons or groups in Norfolk and thus mitigate any feelings or effects in isolation, social exclusion or racial abuse. Address: 47 Winchester Tower, Vauxhall Street, Norwich NR2 2SE. Email: ashwondi@hotmail.com
     
  16. NORFRESA-Norwich French Speakers Association is a community group for French speaking people, especially refugees from Africa . Address: c/o MENTER, 7 Rigby’s Court, St Giles Street, Norwich NR2 1NT. Email: gervais@norfresa.org.uk
     
  17. Norwich International Youth Project Created for young people aged 12 - 19 from non-European Union Countries who are currently living in the United Kingdom. The project provides orientation, integration and education. Tel: 07841 816063. Email: norwichyouth@yahoo.com
     
  18. Norwich Lithuanian Association Address: c/o St Martins Housing Trust , 35 Bishopgate, Norwich, NR1 4AA. Tel: 01603 667706. Email (for contacts):noah.gins@stmartinshousing.org.uk
     
  19. Red Cross Refugee Orientation Project The project offers a drop-in service on Mondays and Fridays where volunteers are able to provide support and help with practical problems. Address: 44-46 St. Augustines Street, Norwich, NR3 3AD. Tel: 01603 623041. Email: rop@redcross.org.uk
     
  20. Support and integration of Migrants promoting Legal Equality (SIMPLE) The organization runs drop-in surgeries and cultural activities for migrant newcomers in the Breckland area and produces the “Gossip” newspaper. Contact: carla_a_barreto@hotmail.com
     
  21. Time Together Mentoring Project- celebrates the diverse communities and cultures of Ipswich and Norwich, of which refugees are an important part, and works to bring different people together and enable them make positive differences to each other’s lives. Address: Refugee Council, 4 -8 Museum Street, Ipswich, IP1 1HT. Tel: 01473 297918 Email: angela.knights@refugeecouncil.org.uk. Website: http://www.timetogether.org.uk/
     
  22. West Norfolk Chinese Association The aim of the association is to increase the visibility of the migrant Chinese community and to promote cultural activities. Address: 38 Reffley Lane, Kings Lynn PE30 3EQ.
     
  23. Norwich & Norfolk Racial Equality Council (NNREC)-The NNREC is an independent charity covering the county of Norfolk. They work in partnership with communities, local, regional and national statutory & voluntary bodies to address issues of inequality and discrimination. NNREC provides free advice & information about racial discrimination and harassment, equal opportunities and the promotion of good race relations. Address: North Wing, County Hall, Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DH. Tel: 01603 611644. Email: enquiries@nnrec.org.uk. Website:http://www.nnrec.org.uk/

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Suffolk

  1. The Basis Project is an England-wide (including) service giving one-to-one support to refugee community organisations (RCOs) to help them manage, develop and sustain their organisation. The Basis Project also is working closely with funders and other mainstream bodies to increase their understanding of RCOs. The contact person for the East of England is Shpetim Alimeta –Tel: 01473 297 912, Email: shpetim.alimeta@refugeecouncil.org.uk
     
  2. British Red Cross The work undertaken by the Red Cross in this area includes providing support to refugees and asylum seekers from their centre in Chevallier Street.15 Chevallier St, Ipswich, IP1 2PF. Telephone: 01473 219260. Website: www.redcross.org.uk
     
  3. Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers. Address: 19 Tower Street, IPSWICH, IP1 3BE. Telephone: 01473 219777. Website: www.ipswichcab.org.uk
     
  4. CSV Media The Clubhouse in Ipswich is a large digital multimedia centre with music and community art facilities. Amongst CSV's activities is work with Millenium Volunteers, the hosting of Ipswich Communiy Radio and provision of Information, Advice and Guidance sessions. Address: The Point, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich IP1 1RS. Telephone: 01473 418 014. Email: ipswichmch@csv.org.uk Web: http://www.csv.org.uk/Get+Trained/Media+Training/Media+Clubhouse+Ipswich.htm
     
  5. Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE)- provides information, advice and support of a non-financial nature to individuals and families who have experienced, or are experiencing, racial discrimination/harassment or race-related difficulties. They also provide training to service providers. Address: 46A St Matthew's Street, Ipswich IP11TE. Telephone: 01473 408111. Website: www.onesuffolk.co.uk/ipswichandsuffolkcouncilforracialequality/
     
  6. Lets Talk Communication Events- facilitated by the Suffolk Police on engage with client groups on specific themes. Address: Police HQ, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk. Tel: 01473 613990. Email: peter.haystead@suffolk.pnn.police.uk  
     
  7. Lowestoft International Support Group is a small organisation run by volunteers, which supports refugees through providing free English classes and a help and information service from their office. Address: 15 Surrey Street, Lowestoft  NR32 1LJ. Tel: 01502 501444. Email: lowestoftlisg@yahoo.co.uk
     
  8. The Refugee Council- The East of England One Stop Service, based in Ipswich, helps asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridge, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Address: First Floor, 4-8 Museum Street, Ipswich IP1 1HT. Tel: 01473 297900. Website: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
     
  9. Suffolk Community Refugee Team The Team works with asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk. They manage people’s concerns in regards to the health services they access, explaining how the NHS works, facilitating relationships with service providers, advocacy and liaison and providing translation or interpreting. Address: 70 - 74 St Helens Street, Ipswich, IP4 2LA. Tel: 01473 341750. E-mail: susan.stallabrass@suffolkpct.nhs.uk
     
  10. Suffolk Refugee Support Forum -The Forum runs a drop-in Advice and Advocacy Service for anyone to receive free advice and support on a broad range of subjects from housing and employment to how to make friends and learn English. Address: 38 St Matthews Street, Ipswich IP1 3EP. Tel: 01473 400785. Email: refugeesupport@ukonline.co.uk.
     
  11. The Refugee Legal Centre Ipswich provides representation to those who have made or about to make an initial claim for asylum. They provide representation at first stage asylum appeals before the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT). Address: Berkeley Business Centre, Fisons House, 2nd Floor, 159 Princes Street, IPSWICH IP1 1QH. Telephone: 01473 381488 Web: http://www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk/C2B/document_tree/ViewADocument.asp?ID=25&CatID=88
     
  12. Suffolk Inter Faith Resource (SIFRE) was established in 1994 by a group of people representing the faiths and cultures of the residents of Ipswich and Suffolk. Their intent is to promote understanding between people of different faiths. Address: Long Street Building, University Campus Suffolk, Rope Walk, Ipswich IP4 1LT. Telephone: 01473 343661, Email:
    aa@sifre.org.uk. Website: http://www.sifre.org.uk/
     
  13. The Ipswich Polish Club:This is a newly established club providing advice in legal and community matters, financial and employment support and all general matters. Address: 57 St Margaret’s Street, Ipswich, IP4 2AX.Email: secretary@theipswichpolishclub.co.uk. Website address: http://www.theipswichpolishclub.co.uk/facilities.htm
     
  14. Time Together Mentoring Project -celebrates the diverse communities and cultures of Ipswich and Norwich, of which refugees are an important part, and works to bring different people together and enable them make positive differences to each other’s lives. Address: Refugee Council, 4 -8 Museum Street, Ipswich, IP1 1HT. Tel: 01473 297918 Email: angela.knights@refugeecouncil.org.uk. Website: http://www.timetogether.org.uk/

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Partnership Development Project of MENTER

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